Game Of Thrones season four: Tyrion Lannister and the Red Viper mean business in new teaser pics

Oberyn Martell (Pedro Pascal) and Ellaria Sand (Indira Varma) are hot new additions to the Game Of Thrones cast (Picture: HBO)

The Red Viper and his paramour Ellaria Sand certainly mean business if the new Game Of Thrones stills, released ahead of the show’s forthcoming fourth series, are anything to go by.

Played by Chilean actor Pedro Pascal, new addition Prince Oberyn Martell heads to King’s Landing seeking revenge on the Lannisters. Gregor ‘The Mountain’ Clegane murdered his sister Elia back when King Aerys was overthrown by the late Robert Baratheon and the prince of Dorne is not prepared to let it lie.

‘The Red Viper is sexy and charming, yet believably dangerous; intensely likable, yet driven by hate,’ said showrunners David Benioff and Dan Weiss. ‘The boys love him, the girls love him, and he loves them all back. Unless your last name is Lannister.’

Praising Pacal, they added to Entertainment Weekly: ‘We found a fellow who can handle the job description and make it seem effortless. He wasn’t easy to find and he won’t be easy to stop.’

Elsewhere, Tyrion Lannister is up to his usual tricks, Olenna Tyrell is hatching a master plan, the Mother Of Dragons and her mercenary soldier sidekick Daario Naharis (now played by Michiel Huisman) continue to plan their takeover, Jon Snow is preparing to infiltrate Mance Rayder’s camp, Arya Stark is still tailing The Hound and Joffrey Baratheon is as repulsive as ever.

Game Of Thrones returns on Monday 7 April at 9pm on Sky Atlantic – watch live and on demand on Sky or NOW TV.

Michiel Huisman replaces Ed Skrein as Daario Naharis (Picture: HBO)

Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) is growing in strength with Missandei (Nathalie Emmanuel) at her side (Picture: HBO)

Daenerys is pretty darned determined to sit on that Iron Throne (Picture: HBO)